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Copyright 2014 by Sara B. Larson

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Larson, Sara B.
Defy / by Sara B. Larson.1st ed.
pages cm
Summary: Seventeen-year-old Alexas parents were killed by a sorcerer during a
raid, so she has disguised herself as a boy, joined Antions army, and earned a place
on Prince Damians guardbut Antion is ruled by an evil king, and Alex must
find a way to defeat him and protect her prince.
ISBN 978-0-545-59758-6 (jacketed hardcover) 1. Identity (Psychology)
Juvenile fiction. 2. MagicJuvenile fiction. 3. PrincesJuvenile fiction.
4. ConspiraciesJuvenile fiction. 5. Adventure stories. [1. IdentityFiction.
2. MagicFiction. 3. PrincesFiction. 4. ConspiraciesFiction.
5. Adventure and adventurersFiction.] I. Title.
PZ7.L323953Def 2014
813.6dc23
2013011011

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 14 15 16 17 18
Printed in the U.S.A. 23
First edition, January 2014
The text type was set in ITC Galliard.
The display type was set in Kennerly HSC.
Book design by Abby Kuperstock

To Trav, who has always believed in the beauty of my dreams

In loving memory of Josh Lloydgone from sight,

but never from our hearts

before

he crackle and hiss of the f lames devouring our house

couldnt block out the screaming and wailing of those who

were still alive. My friends, the children, and babies. Orphans.

Most of the men were dead. For how few of us there were, scattered around what used to be our village, the noise was almost
deafening. I stood in the damp mud in front of our home, pressing
my hands to my ears, trying to shut out the sounds. My jaw was
clenched, but I couldnt stop the tears from welling up and slipping down my cheeks.
Alexa, hurry! Marcel grabbed my arm, trying to pull me
away. But I yanked out of his grip.
I cant leave them, I said, still staring at what remained of
my mother and father. I did not look at my brother. Nor at the
f lames engulfing our home. Nor at the backs of the retreating
enemy. Not even at the kings army, which had become visible
on the horizon. It had materialized too late from the depths of
the jungle that wrapped around our village, finally scaring off the
Blevonese soldiers, but not before their sorcerer had done this.
Alexa. Marcels voice was more urgent as he reached up and
turned my face to his, forcing my eyes away from the two bodies.
But I couldnt see him, not really. The image of my parents lying
1

broken, charred on the ground in front of us, was burned onto my

retinas. Onto my memory. The sorcerer had been no match for
Papas fighting skillsbut no one was a match for the unholy fire
the sorcerer had used against him and Mama.
I shuddered as I remembered the feel of magic in the air when
the sorcerer killed them both, a stream of fire bursting from his
hands.
The smell of burned f lesh and the sight of them lying there
were too much. I dropped to my knees and vomited into the thick
undergrowth that never stopped trying to reclaim the ground
wed built our home on.
Papa made us promise to hide when we saw the soldiers from
Blevon heading for our village. But then he and Mama were slain
and I had done nothing to stop it.
The armys coming, Alexa. We have to do it now. Marcel
knelt down and held my hair back for me as I wiped my mouth
on my sleeve, my stomach still heaving. If they see me cutting
your hair, theyll take you...theyll force you into the breeding
house.
I looked up at him, fear hitting me square in the chest. His
hazel eyes, mirror images of my own, were bleak.
I glanced toward the winding trail that led to the jungle,
which would take us to Tubatse, to King Hectors palace. And his
breeding house. The army was getting closer. Too close.
Maybe if I show them how well I fight, theyll let me join the
army instead? The panic in my voice was matched by the desperate pounding of my heart.
Marcel shook his head. The wind turned, and the smoke blew
into our faces for a moment, burning my nose and obscuring
2

Marcel from view. His hand tightened around my hair, which he

still held back from my face.
Fine, I said. Lets do it. Hurry, I added, spitting into the
dirt one last time, trying to get rid of the bitter taste in my mouth.
My knees were still weak when I stood up. Marcel grabbed the
shears hed managed to save before the fire grew too large, and
moved to stand behind me.
When the blades bit through my hair and the first long, dark
strands landed on the ground at my feet, I had to choke back a sob.
It was stupid and vain, but my hair was the one feature that had
truly been mine. Looking so similar to my twin brother had been
fun as a child, but as we grew older, it became irritating. My jaw
was too square, I was too tall, I hadnt even managed to grow
breasts yet. Other than my hair, I could have passed for a boy.
But now the very traits that Id always been frustrated with
would hopefully save me.
When the last lock of hair fell, my head felt lighter, colder,
naked. I reached up with trembling fingers, but couldnt make
myself touch it.
How do I look? My voice wobbled, but I refused to let
myself cry again. The army would be here any minute.
Like me, Marcel said.
Together, we hurried to pick up all the hair and threw it into
the f lames that were consuming what was left of our cottage. The
long strands, years worth of growth, curled up and burned away
in moments. Gone. Like my parents. Like my home. All taken,
burned, hewn down, and turned to ash.

 one
now

arcel lunged at me, his movement lightning fast. But

my block was even faster. Our practice swords collided,

sending a jolt up my arm. Wed been sparring for quite a while, but
neither of us was ready to back down. I jabbed at him again,
but missed a beat when I noticed Prince Damian standing behind
the other members of his guard, outside the practice ring, watching us. Marcel took full advantage of my momentary distraction and
landed a blow on my shoulder. I grunted, aggravated with myself,
but quickly recovered, spinning away from him and Prince Damians
unwavering gaze. The gloating expression on Marcels face wasnt
going to last long. I twisted around in the opposite direction and
before he could parry my blow, I hit him in the rib cage.
A killing strike.
Marcel threw his weapon on the dirt, rubbing his ribs with a
grimace. My wooden sword would probably give him a bruise,
despite the padding we both wore.
I never should have taught you to hit me, Marcel grumbled
as most of our audience whooped and hollered from outside the
practice ring.
Id hit you again, except I know you arent serious. I bent
down and picked up his sword, daring a peek to see if the prince
5

was still there. Hed come to watch me spar before, but he always
seemed to slip away just as I finished a match. Not this time. He
still stood there, the sunlight bright on his dark hair. I could have
sworn there was admiration on his faceadmiration and something else I couldnt namebut when I blinked, it was gone,
replaced by his usual sardonic expression.
Prince Damian clapped slowly twice, making a couple of the
guards in front of him jump. They spun around quickly, and
upon seeing the prince, they immediately straightened to stand at
attention.
An impressive display, Alex, but next time, keep your guard
up at all times. It never pays to get distracted, Prince Damian
observed. I had to clench my jaw to keep from blushing at the
condescension in his voice. Part of me longed to challenge him, to
tell him to take a turn and see how long he lasted. Instead, I stiff ly
tipped my head to him. He looked at me for a moment longer, his
gaze inscrutable, and then turned on his heel and strode away.
I stood in the ring, clutching both my and Marcels swords,
my heart pounding with anger.
Give that to me. Marcel swiped his sword back with a furtive glance at the other members of the princes personal guard.
But they were all still watching the prince, their backs to us. I
dont need you to carry my sword for me.
I blinked as he stormed away. I knew he wasnt really mad.
Death was once nothing more than a game to us, back at home,
when we were children and we practiced for hours every day with
sticks instead of swords. Back when I was still Alexa, instead of Alex,
Marcels twin brother and member of Prince Damians personal

guard. He used to get so mad at me for beating him, he wouldnt

talk to me for the rest of the day.
Before our parents were killed and death suddenly became so
very, very real.
Marcel didnt get angry when I beat him anymore.
Nice job, Alex. Dont listen to the prince. We all know he
couldnt use a sword if his life depended on it. Rylan nodded at
me with an approving smile when I walked over to him and the
other men whod been watching.
I laughed, modulating my tone to keep the sound of my
amusement low and as unfeminine as possible. Id been doing it
for so long, I didnt even have to think about it anymore. Trying
to sound like a boy was natural to me now. When have I ever
cared what the prince thinks? The day I start taking advice about
fighting from him will be the day Marcel can finally beat me.
Rylan laughed. True. I think Marcels going to be feeling
that hit for a few days.
Well, I replied, its always good to give him a reminder of
why Im going to beat him out for the captainship someday. I
chucked my sword through the air and Asher grabbed it at the last
second, just before it hit him in the chest. He and Deron were up
next in the practice ring.
Which wont be anytime soon, Deron, the current captain,
said as he passed by us.
I watched Asher enter the ring as I peeled off my padding. The
oppressive heat held the promise of a storm, a damp weight to
the air, as if the very earth were sweating almost as profusely as I
was. My shirt stuck to my body, but luckily the leather vest hid the

binding Id wrapped around my breasts earlier that morning. I

glanced up at the cloudless blue sky, stretching across the palace
and the jungle that surrounded us, and wondered how long it
would take before the humidity worked itself up into a mass of
dark, threatening thunderheads.
Come on, Captain, lets do this, Asher called from within
the ring. The sun made his red hair practically glowor possibly,
it was the ref lection off his skin. Id never seen someone so white
before in my life until Id met him. Most of the people of Antion
had at least a hint of olive or darker tones to their skin, to varying
degrees. But Asher was originally from Dansii, the nation north of
us, where almost everyones skin was that whiteor so hed said.
But King Hector was also from Dansii, and though he was pale, he
wasnt that white.
In comparison, Derons dark skin seemed to absorb the light.
Id known Deron for so long now, he didnt frighten me anymore, but I still shivered as he lifted his sword and walked into
the arena to face Asher, who was ten years younger than him and
at least fifty pounds lighter. Deron was the biggest man in the
guard, and at thirty-six, also the oldest. But that wasnt why he
was captainno one had ever beaten him in a challenge. Well, no
one except me.
But when I fought him to earn my position on the guard a
year ago, I was too new and too young to be made captain, so it
didnt matter.
Marcel came back with two tall cups, one in each hand.
Water? I asked, eagerly reaching out.
Yep, he said, but he pulled back, keeping the cups out of my
reach. Then he lifted one of them to his mouth and drank deeply.
8

Are you planning on sharing that, or am I supposed to apologize for beating you first?
Nope. No apology necessary. I fully intend to give you what
you deserve.
Before I had a chance to react, Marcel tossed the entire contents of the second cup into my face, drenching me. At first, I was
too shocked to do anything except stare at him. Then I burst out
laughing. The cool water actually felt good as it ran down my nose
and chin, dripped off my short hair onto my shirt.
Well, thats one way to admit youre a sore loser. I ran a hand
through my wet hair, shaking the excess water off.
You two never stop, do you? Rylan shook his head, a wry
grin revealing his straight, white teeth. His skin was the color of
cream with a hint of melted chocolate stirred in.
I need to go check on things inside the palace, I said, forcing myself to look away from Rylans warm brown eyes. I had no
business noticing his smile or his teeth or what shade of chocolate
his skin and irises resembled. Try not to lose any more sparring
matches. I pointed at Marcel. I dont think too many would-be
assassins are deterred by cups of water in the face.
Yes, sir. Marcel saluted me with the empty cup.
With a sigh and a suppressed smile, I turned away from my
brother and strode across the courtyard, purposely making my stride
as long as possible.

 two

he dining room was lit by hundreds of candles. The scent

of hot wax and too much perfume made my head hurt. I

stood at attention a discreet distance from where Prince Damian

sat, eating his dinner with his customary bored expression. The
women on both sides of him vied for his attention, one more blatantly than the other, bending too close to the table, pushing her
very visible breasts even higher out of her dress. But the prince
only raised one dark eyebrow and lifted a spoonful of chilled pear
soup to his mouth.
I wanted to tell the women to quit bothering. Prince Damian
never took anyone to his rooms, and as one of his personal guards,
I was certain he never visited anyone elses, either. I believed it was
because engaging in that activity would require too much effort

and if there was one thing the prince excelled at, it was laziness.
I looked away from the long table filled with lavishly dressed
men and women, and scanned the room. Marcel stood a few feet
away from me on Prince Damians other side. Across the room,
Rylan and his brother, Jude, stood near the door.
As the next course was brought out, the conversation turned,
as it nearly always did, to the war. After a few minutes of discussion, Prince Damian sighed.
10

Must we always converse about this dreary topic? He lifted

his wineglass to his lips. King Hector had wine and champagne
shipped in from Dansii, but only the royal family and their most
esteemed guests were allowed to drink it on a regular basis. The
rest of the dinner party had goblets full of native juices from
Antionmango and papaya.
But surely you dont find it dreary, Your Highness? A young
woman I hadnt noticed before tonight asked, her expression one
of surprise. This war comes at a steep cost, of course. But I would
think that you of all people would be thrilled at the recent success
the army has had in stopping those Blevonese sorcerers.
Oh, here we go, I groaned internally.
I should? the prince asked, his voice deceptively inviting.
Why do you suppose that would excite me, in particular?
The young womanwho couldnt have been more than fifteen or sixteen, most likely newly presented at courtleaned
forward eagerly, exhilarated to have garnered the princes notice.
Well, because of what happened to the queen. Im sure youre
just as eager to avenge her murder as the king is. Arent you?
The entire room seemed to freeze, silence descending swiftly
as the prince pinned her with his gaze. I couldnt see his eyes from
my vantage point, but I knew Prince Damian well. I could easily
imagine the icy glare hed turned on her, his shockingly blue eyes
cold. The girls color drained slightly, to be quickly replaced by a
f lush creeping up her neck.
I find that this...meal...has become unappetizing,
Prince Damian finally said, rising from his chair. Everyone else
rushed to stand as well. Please, remain and enjoy the food. Celebrate the armys victories with as much exuberance as possible.
11

The girl stared down at her plate in humiliation, her former excitement completely gone. She looked like she was about to vomit the
food shed been eating all over the table.
Guards. Prince Damian f licked a wrist, signaling us. We fell
into line, Rylan and Jude in front of the prince, Marcel and myself
in the rear, as he exited the room. Once the dining table and the
awkward conversation were far behind us, Prince Damian stopped.
Alex, he said, turning to face me.
Yes, Your Highness? I stood at attention.
I havent received word of this supposed victory. He glared
at me like it was my fault. I do not like to be ill informed at my
own dinner parties. You will find Nolen at once and tell him that
I require news of the war efforts brought to me personally from
now on.
From behind me, Marcel said, My lord, Nolen has taken the
evening off to visit his sister in Tubatse.
Prince Damian looked past me to my brother. Ah yes. He
pressed his lips together in irritation. Then go find Iker instead.
Give him the same message. Hes probably better informed than
Nolen anyway.
I nodded. Ikert he kings most trusted advisorprobably
did know more than Nolen, Prince Damians handler, as we
dubbed him. But I hated dealing with Iker and wished Nolen
hadnt picked tonight of all nights to be gone. Would you like me
or Marcel to go, my lord?
Your shifts are ending soon, I believe? he asked.
Yes, my lord, Marcel confirmed.
Both of you go and bring me word of his response before you

12

retire for the night. He waved us off as Marcel and I pressed our
right fists to our opposite shoulders and bowed.
The kings chambers were in a completely different wing of
the sprawling, massive palace, and Marcel and I had to turn around
and head back the way wed come to find Ikers room, next to King
Hectors private quarters.
Once we were out of earshot of Prince Damian, Marcel and I
both began to walk more slowly. He seemed to dread talking to
Iker as much as I did.
Did you hear about any victories recently? Marcel asked as
we climbed the staircase to the second f loor.
I shook my head. No. And Ive never seen that girl before. I
wonder if shes really that stupid, or if someone put her up to it to
try and get a reaction from the prince.
If so, shes an excellent actress. I was sure she was about to
throw up when Damian stood to leave.
I had to agree with Marcel; shed been very convincing. Maybe
thered been a report of a victory we hadnt heard yet. But even
if there was, I couldnt believe shed had the audacity to bring up
the murder of Prince Damians mother at dinner. It didnt matter
if that was why King Hector had declared war on Blevon; it was
not something to discuss over chilled soup and poached whitefish.
When we reached Ikers door, it wasnt completely shut. Marcel
tapped lightly on it. We waited, but there was no response.
Should we go in?
For some reason, I had to suppress a shiver. I didnt like Iker.
He was a narrow maneverything about him was angular and
sharp: his beaked nose, his chin, the point of his head, which was

13

ill concealed by his greasy black hair. I did not wish to go into his
room, yet we had no choice but to try and find him. I guess so.
Prince Damian will throw a fit if we come back without a document signed in blood, swearing to bring him news of any and all
victories as soon as Iker has them.
Marcel went first, pushing the door open a bit wider. The
room was encased in darkness, all except for the back corner, where
a tall figure stood hunched over a table. The meager glow of a low
fire in the hearth next to him revealed the bony outline of Ikers
body. There was a slight haze in the room, and an acrid, coppery
scent turned my stomach.
The moment we walked in, Iker straightened and whirled to
face us, blocking our view of what was on the table. What are you
doing, barging into my personal room without permission? he
demanded, his expression furious. He clutched a small knife in
one hand.
Prince Damian sent us and your door was open.... Marcel
gestured behind us.
Leave my chamber at once. Iker glowered at us, the faint
light of the fire behind him barely illuminating his features, giving him a dark, wild look. The air felt thick, heavy, entrapping.
Something was wrong in here and I was more than willing to
comply with his command. I spun on my heel and strode out. But
Marcel lingered. I turned to see him still standing in the doorway,
meeting Ikers glare.
Iker, was there word of a victory today that Prince Damian
was kept unaware of? Marcel crossed his arms over his chest and
I groaned. I knew that position well. He wasnt going to back
down or let Iker intimidate him. Normally, I wouldnt have either,
14

but it wasnt just Iker I was eager to escape. It was his room; the
smell; the little knife in his hand, which was stained with something all too similar to blood; and the darkness that felt thicker
than normal, somehow. I couldnt imagine what he was doing
in there, and I was surprised Marcel wasnt as eager to leave
as I was.
I said, leave my room, Ikers voice was low and threatening
now as he marched toward us. Marcel had the good sense to back
away. Either of us could have taken down the greasy-haired, older
man in a fight without even breaking a sweat. But he was our superiora lmost as powerful as the king himself. It wasnt a good
idea to infuriate him.
Iker pulled the door shut behind him and pointed at us with
the knife. You may tell your prince that I will inform him of
any and all victories over Blevon at the kings discretion. As for
the both of you, since you obviously have nothing better to do
than barge into peoples private chambers, I now require your
services.
Even with the door shut, the smell still lingered in my nose. I
looked down at his knife and tried to keep my expression neutral,
despite the uneasiness in my gut.
We have a new batch of orphans to place, Iker said, and the
kings guard is down a few men right now because of illness. I
believe they should be arriving through the west gate shortly. No
one seems to like the job of taking the girls to the breeding house,
but Im sure the both of you wont mind. His fingers tightened
on the hilt of the knife. Am I correct?
Revulsion made my stomach turn. Id only been forced to
enter the breeding house once before. Even though Id been inside
15

for just a few minutes, I still had nightmares about the place. The
stench of unkempt bodies and overused sheets. The echoes of
screams, the desperate sobbing behind closed doors. The heat and
fear that coated the air like smoke. The empty eyes of the girls.
The swollen mounds of their bellies. Bile rose in my throat and
panic seized me. I couldnt go back thereI couldnt lead other
girls to that fate at sword point.
Iker looked directly at me with a cruel smile on his thin lips
and repeated, Am I correct?
Yes, sir, Marcel finally answered for us both. Well go
right away.
Maybe next time, you will think twice before disturbing
me. Iker gave me one last dark look before going back into his
room, shutting the door firmly behind him this time.

16